Page 243 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

TREATING SHOCK
A cat in shock may suffer from
heat loss. Wrap him loosely in
a blanket or quilt until he is
assessed by a vet.

Shock is a life-threatening condition
in which there is reduced blood flow,
and tissues become starved of
nutrients. Symptoms of shock
include irregular breathing, anxiety,
pale or blue gums, and a lowered
body temperature. First aid for a cat
in shock involves keeping him warm
and elevating his hindquarters to
increase blood flow to the brain while
you take him to a vet. ELIZABETHAN COLLAR
If you find your cat unconscious, make sure After surgery your cat may have to
wear an Elizabethan collar for several
his airway is not obstructed, listen and look for
days to prevent him from licking or
breathing, and feel for a pulse with a finger on chewing a wound that may have been
one of the femoral arteries, which can be found stitched to help it repair.
on the inner side of his hindlegs, where they
meet the groin. If there is no breathing, attempt BANDAGED LEG
artificial respiration by gently blowing air into A leg wound requires bandaging by
your cat’s lungs down the nostrils. If there is a vet. Keep your cat inside if he has
a bandaged limb. If the dressing
no heartbeat, alternate two breaths of artificial
becomes dirty, wet, loose, smelly,
respiration with thirty chest compressions at or uncomfortable, take your cat back
two compressions per second. to the vet for it to be changed.